Sect. I.] Paintings 135 



That mode of delineating the human counte- 

 nance called Mimaturt painting, though practised 

 prior to the age under consideration, yet may be 

 said to have gained a prevalence, and attained a 

 degree of" excellence, during that age, which were 

 altogether unknown in ajiy tormer period. 



In Allegorical painting Angelica Flauffmann, a 

 distinguished genius of Germany, now residing at 

 ilome, was perhaps never exceeded *. In that 

 vigorous imagination which enables an artist, as it 

 were, to embody and depict metaphysical ideas, 

 Mr. Fuseli has displayed unrivalled talents. In 

 Landscape, Gainsborough, Wilson, Smith, Turner, 

 Morland, and several others, have attained high 

 distinction in Great Britain ; as have also Vernet 

 and Valenciens, of France; Ommagank, of An- 

 twerp ; and several others in different part of Eu- 

 rope. In depicting Cattle, and various kinds of 

 Aiiimah, Wenix and Ommagank, of the Flemish 

 school; and Stubbs, Gilpin, and Catton, of Great 

 Britain, may be honourably compared with the 

 painters of any age. Van Huysum, of Amster- 

 dam, may be considered the greatest painter of 

 Flowers that ever lived ; and in the same class van 

 Spandonck, of the French school, is entitled to 

 respectful notice. 



The century under review is distinguished by 



* A friend, on reading what is said above of this celebrated 

 artist, made the following remark; " I tliink you speak in ratlier 

 too strong terms of the genius of Angelica Kautfmann. Al- 

 though she is very high on the list of artists, her works have not 

 sufficient force of character and composition to entitle her to such 

 praibc." 



